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Using real names
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Message
Posted
I don't know about anyone else, but I get quite frustrated when I don't know the identity behind the "poster". I like to know what kind of paintings he/she produces, to link with their opinions. On the old site it was sometimes possible to find this out by clicking on the name but now it doesn't seem possible. Why bother, on this site, to have a different name for the forum?
Posted
Hadnt realised that you couldnt find the real person behind the moniker.. When I originally joined this site in the dark ags you were asked to use a false name ( cant spell that long word begining with P )
I actually agree with you but I think if I resorted to my real name no one would now know who I was...saying that you all do anyhow.
Sylvia.
Posted
Pseudonym, Sylvia, is the word for which you so unsuccessfully groped...
I suppose there are limited circumstances in which anonymity might be necessary, but I'm with the rest of you - it's a freedom people have, perhaps partly to avoid falling victim to spam e-mail and marketing calls, but I do like to see the whites of their eyes and know with whom I'm dealing.
Many forums use pseudonyms, though - we're not unusual.
Posted
I have said for ages that only real names should be used in all areas of the site - forum, blogs and on the gallery (where it is real names). You can then connect people to whatever contribution they are making. With a real gallery name, a blog title and a made up name for the forum, you could be mistaken for thinking there are three different people!
Regarding forum names, on the old site you could click on the alias and it would take you to that person's profile page which very often listed their real name. Now not many people appear to have put their real name on the forum profile, so you are none the wiser.
I've put my real name on all three areas now and I do think it is better.
Posted
I prefer not to use my real name. I have an unusual surname and it's quite easy to find out who I am and where I live. In the past I've received countless spam emails and unwanted phone calls. I've had to change my email addresses, have gone ex directory and most phone calls I leave to a recording machine unless I recognise the caller's number.
On this website, I originally had the name keith, after the site was changed I could no longer access my account . After lots of messing about with no solution I set up a new account with the name keora.
Posted
So there are, practical reasons for having a pseudonym, ( thank you Robert) and obviously good reasons .
I must admit it has never really bothered me but can see why some people prefer their own names.
I also actually dont think it is incredibly important I mean our old friend Blood Axe might REALLY have been called Blood Axe. I honestly think the content of postings is what really matters wether I am North Light or Sylvia.